Idea tracking and management

ABSTRACT

Disclosure is related to idea tracking and management. The disclosure invokes a method and system for displaying and tracking ideas from a database. The invention accesses a data repository via a data connection, displays the data from the data repository, and allows the displayed data to be characterized as scheduling data, statistical data, action items, current status, and listing of individuals.

This patent application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/139,030 filed on Jun. 13, 2008, which is herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates to a method and system for tracking ideas. Morespecifically, the disclosure accesses data from a data repository,displays the data as scheduling data, statistical data, action item(s),listing of individuals, and current status.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 5,999,907 discloses an intellectual propertycomputer-implemented audit system for valuing an intellectual propertyportfolio includes a first database storing first information relatingto the intellectual property portfolio and a database access andcollection device connected to the first database and accessing thefirst database and retrieving the first information. In addition, theintellectual property audit system also includes a second databasestoring empirical data relating to known intellectual propertyportfolios, and a comparison device connected to the database access andcollection device and to the second database, the comparison devicereceiving the first information from the database access and collectiondevice and comparing the first information to the empirical dataretrieved from the second database producing an intellectual propertyworth indicator indicating the worth of the intellectual propertyportfolio.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,154,725 discloses an intellectual property (IP)computer-implemented audit system estimates a value of an intellectualproperty portfolio. The IP computer-implemented audit system includes acomputer program product storing instructions to be implemented by acomputer. The IP audit system includes a first database storing firstinformation relating to the intellectual property portfolio, and adatabase access and collection device accessing and retrieving the firstinformation. The IP audit system also includes a second database storingempirical data relating to known IP portfolios, and a comparison devicecomparing the first information to the empirical data retrieved from thesecond database producing an IP worth indicator indicating the worth ofthe IP portfolio. The IP audit system is optionally implementable over anetwork architecture.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,164 discloses an enterprise project managementsystem includes a system for creating new projects and adding projecttasks and resources to the system. Information used to create theprojects, project tasks and resources is input at a workstation that mayor may not be connected to the enterprise network. The information usedto create projects, project tasks and resources includes primary andsecondary information. The primary information is essential to theproject management system for storing the project, project task andresource and for creating or modifying the project schedules. Thesecondary information is categorization or classification informationuseful for reporting and not essential to the scheduling function of thesystem. The secondary information fields are validated by comparing atleast some of them with a set of predefined valid values for each field.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,556,992 discloses a statistical patent rating method andsystem is provided for independently assessing the relative breadth(“B”), defensibility (“D”) and commercial relevance (“R”) of individualpatent assets and other intangible intellectual property assets. Theinvention can be used by patent valuation experts, investment advisors,economists and others to help guide future patent investment decisions,licensing programs, patent appraisals, tax valuations, transfer pricing,economic forecasting and planning, and even mediation and/or settlementof patent litigation lawsuits. In one embodiment this prior art providesa statistically-based patent rating method and system whereby relativeratings or rankings are generated using a database of patent informationby identifying and comparing various characteristics of each individualpatent to a statistically determined distribution of the samecharacteristics within a given patent population.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,089,192 discloses an intellectual property managementfacility for proactively creating, developing and managing anintellectual property portfolio includes: determining available resourcecapacity for an intellectual property activity in a tracking system;assigning technical attributes to the activity in the tracking system;apportioning resource capacity for the activity by technical attributebased on the value assigned to each of the technical attributes andbased on available resource capacity; obtaining actual resource usage bytechnical attribute from the tracking system; and managing resourceallocation for the intellectual property activity by determining thedifference between the actual resource usage and the resource allocationby technical attribute.

U.S. Patent Application 2005\0149401 discloses a system and method forproviding an intellectual property collaboration network for thedevelopment and improvement of inventions and technology with inventorsbeing granted equity or an ownership interest in patent arrays orcompanies which patent, market, license and generate revenue from thedeveloped technology. The prior art provides a way of distributingequity to contributing inventors of ideas and owners of patents withinthe network for those technologies which are grouped and related. Theprior art enables inventors to submit ideas, collaborate on projects,advance technology and protect inventions through an intellectualproperty network which provides inventors equity in companies or patentarrays in exchange for the developments which are then patented,marketed, and licensed with revenue flowing through the companies andpatent arrays back to the inventors and other contributors of thesystem. The system may also be used for existing and donated patentswhich can be marketed and licensed through the system including grantingequity or ownership interest in the patent arrays or companies to ownersof the existing or donated patents.

U.S. Patent Application 2005/0154673 discloses a method for monitoringpayments, payment authorizations, and payable events in an inventorrecognition program for a company. The prior art comprises an AwardReminder Program (ARP), an Award Status Program (ASP), and an AwardMonitoring Program (AMP). The ARP monitors the award tracking databaseassociated with the present invention and sends the inventor's manageran email requesting authorization of payment when required. If themanager does not authorize payment, the ARP sends the manager a reminderemail. If the manager still does not authorize payment, the ARP proceedsup the company's organizational chart until payment is authorized. TheASP monitors the award tracking database and updates the status of eachdocket in the award tracking database. The AMP allows a user to view theaward tracking database, print a payment report, print a payable eventsreport, or send a reminder email to the inventor's manager.

U.S. Patent Application 2006\0031092 discloses a method and system forrecording and tracking the progress of a plurality of inventions throughan Invention Method including IP Mapping, IP Strategy, IP Generation, IPDocumentation, IP Review Board, and IP Patenting or Provisional Filing,utilizing a Database platform comprising a plurality of tables, viewscreens, and reports that characterize the flow of an invention from onemethod through to the next, from the time an invention is identifieduntil it is patented, and even beyond issuance, or until some otherdisposition of the invention is made.

WIPO Patent Application Wo0102987A2 discloses a system and methodprovide a web-based infomediary for dissemination of intellectualproperty transfer information among multiple users via a global computernetwork such as the World Wide Web. The system and method can be used toprovide network users with information to facilitate transfer ofintellectual property rights by assignment or license. Also, the systemand method can be configured to collect bids and offers from partiesseeking to acquire rights, or conduct a web-based auction. In thismanner, the system and method provide a web-based infomediary in thesense that they facilitate person-to-person or business-to-businessonline exchanges that leverage the Internet to unite buyers and sellersinto a single, efficient virtual marketplace that provides aconcentration of pertinent information.

Biw-core is related to information analytics tools, and methodologiesinvolving those tools, for assisting in finding the insights ininformation by eliciting and capturing domain knowledge as part of themining process.

WebRegMT is a monitoring tool to help users keep track of status changesin selected patents or applications. Epoline® is the name given to therange of online products and services designed by the European PatentOffice (EPO) to allow patent applicants, attorneys and other users toconduct their business with the EPO electronically in a state-of-the-artsecure environment, protected by smart card or username/password access.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The illustrative embodiments described herein provide a computerimplemented method, system, and computer usable program product fordisplaying information from a database.

An exemplary feature of an embodiment is a method for displayinginformation from a database. This method consists of accessing a datarepository via a data connection, displaying data accessed from the datarepository, and allowing said displayed data to be characterized asscheduling and statistical data.

A further exemplary feature of an embodiment is a method that displaysdata further characterized as an action item.

Another exemplary feature of an embodiment is a method that displaysdata further characterized as a current status.

Yet another exemplary feature of an embodiment is a method whichdisplays data as a listing of individuals

Another exemplary feature of an embodiment is a method which displaysthe scheduling data to be further characterized as a listing ofreviewers.

A further exemplary feature of an embodiment is a method which displaysthe scheduling data to be further characterized as a date.

Yet another exemplary feature of an embodiment is a method which furtherdisplays the statistical data as a responsible executive.

Another exemplary feature of an embodiment is a method of displayingstatistical data as a date.

Yet another exemplary feature of an embodiment is a method of displayingstatistical data to be further characterized an initiative.

Another exemplary feature of an embodiment is a method of displayingstatistical data to be further characterized a topic.

Yet another exemplary feature of an embodiment is a method of displayingstatistical data to be further characterized as a stage.

Another exemplary feature is a method of displaying statistical data asa listing of individuals to be further characterized as a submission.

Yet another exemplary feature is a method of displaying statistical datato be further characterized as a listing of reviewers.

Another exemplary feature is a method of displaying data to be furthercharacterized as an owner of an action item.

Yet another exemplary feature is a method of displaying data to befurther characterized as an assignment of an action item.

Another exemplary feature is a method of displaying data to be furthercharacterized as a due date of an action item.

Yet another exemplary feature is a method of displaying current statusdata to be further characterized as a stage.

Another exemplary feature is a method of displaying a listing ofindividuals to be further characterized as a number of individual groupmembers.

Still another exemplary feature is a method of displaying listing ofindividuals to be further characterized as an abstraction submission.

Various other features, exemplary features, and attendant advantages ofthe present disclosure will become more fully appreciated as the samebecomes better understood when considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are setforth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well asa preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, willbest be understood by reference to the following detailed description ofan illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates assignment of inventor action items according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a comprehensive view of inventor ideas according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a division of ideas by number of inventors accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a comprehensive provision of disclosure statusaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a provision of payment status, as well asidentification of state duration according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 6 illustrates planning features from a perspective of review boarddates according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a provision of inventor combination summariesaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a provision of disclosure breakouts by date andexecutive according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a provision of disclosure breakouts by date and stageaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a provision of statistics for a given review boardaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a provision of disclosures by initiative accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a provision of disclosures by initiative accordingto an embodiment of the topic.

FIG. 13 illustrates a provision of statistics by IDT according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a provision of statistics by person and IDTaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a provision of disclosures by date and IDT, for eachinventor according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a provision of an outside counsel rating system byFirm according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates a provision of an outside counsel rating system byindividual counsel according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates the submission of data according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates input of data sources from an internal database(s)and external data source(s) according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 20 illustrates a hardware environment according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Within the current business climate there is a voracious demand to aidwith the development of ideas. This demand includes the ability to tracksuch ideas as they move from conception into well-rounded inventiondisclosures and beyond.

This need increases as the number of ideas under consideration anddevelopment increase in quantity. According to an embodiment of thedisclosure, the invention's functionality automates many actionsassociated with managing ideas. These attributes significantly aidinventors, scientists, and other professions with the abilityefficiently manage their ideas and thoughts.

FIG. 1 illustrates assignment of inventor action items. This embodimentof the invention permits inventors to assign action items to themselvesor each other, along with the inclusion of an optional due date forcompletion. This embodiment allows the assigned action items to then beviewed and displayed by an end-user.

FIG. 2 illustrates a comprehensive view of inventor ideas. Thisembodiment of the invention illustrates how the displayed data can becharacterized as a listing of individuals. Such individuals includethose who submit ideas and thoughts into the system. An inventor canview all ideas they have, along with the status of each submission. Thisembodiment of the invention further allows the listing of individuals tobe further characterized as an abstraction or listing of abstractionsincluding any idea or thought submitted into the system.

Inventors and other end-users can submit inventive ideas, thoughts, orcomments at the earliest point in the process. Such a start includesfrom the point when the inventor has an inception and or conception.This idea can include an thought and is not limited to ideas that resultin invention disclosures. Furthermore, ideas and thoughts can then beranked and sorted by inventors to assist with the further development ofthose ideas and thoughts into invention disclosures. A comprehensiveview of inventive ideas allows the documentation process of inventorideas and comments to start from when the idea is created through theentire process.

FIG. 3 illustrates a division of Ideas by number of inventors. Thisembodiment of the invention allows the displayed data to be furthercharacterized as a number of individual group members of a submission.This embodiment provides the inventor with quick information about therelative inventor or scientific population on ideas as they are beingdeveloped.

Furthermore, this embodiment of the invention allows administrators,managers, or inventors to view disclosures based on the number ofinventors on a given disclosure that have a single, co-inventor, andmore than 3, or 4. This embodiment facilitates the ability to find ideasthat can use more expertise from other subject matter inventors. As aresult, this embodiment of the invention facilitates contributions fromother inventors that are not working on the disclosure. Furthermore,this embodiment of the invention can provide alerts and status to usersof specific actions. As a result, this embodiment of the inventionallows inventors to refocus and solicit contribution from otherinventors.

FIG. 4 illustrates a comprehensive provision of disclosure status. Thisembodiment of the invention allows the displayed data to becharacterized as duration of the current status of a disclosure orsubmission into the system. This embodiment permits the user to see at aquick glance where each disclosure stands. An embodiment of theinvention can further include a granular view, giving the user theability to see comments on ideas before a draft disclosure is evenbegun.

FIG. 5 illustrates a provision of payment status, as well asidentification of state duration. This function permits the inventor tosee whether they have been paid by the company for a given docketfiling, and also illustrates the length of time that the disclosure hasbeen in a given state. An embodiment of the invention permits the userto ensure proper payment by management, and the latter role permits theuser to identify disclosures or dockets that may be overdue for certainactions.

FIG. 6 illustrates planning features, from a perspective of review boarddates. An embodiment of the invention allows the displayed data to befurther characterized as a listing of reviewers of inventivesubmissions. This permits inventors both a historical record, and moreimportantly a view of upcoming boards with prioritization of the ideasunder consideration for those dates. An embodiment of the inventionallows ability to show disclosures in a way that shows those disclosuresthat are before a review board on a given month\year\date.

An embodiment of the invention allows past disclosures to be listed,with the outcome and associated tracking numbers listed.

An embodiment of the invention allows the displayed data to be furthercharacterized and viewed as a date. An embodiment of the inventionallows ideas to be moved to the top of the list based on a combinationof strength and readiness. These parameters are as determined by theinventors, where strength represents inventor-perceived value to thecompany and readiness in an indicator of how close the idea is to finalform and submission.

An embodiment of the invention promotes such ideas to the top of thelist for a given Invention Disclosure Team (IDT) and facilitates aninventor's work flow management. An embodiment of the invention allows auser to view the rating system allows the user to tell which idea isclosest to being ready and also has greatest value to the organizationand effort can be focused. As a result, this embodiment can provide aplanning mechanism that can go through an inventor submission to areview board.

FIG. 7 illustrates a provision of inventor combination summariesaccording to an embodiment of the invention. An embodiment of theinvention allows finding points of commonality for discussion. Points ofcommonality allow a user to look at those disclosures or ideas for whichthey are working on with one, two, or three other inventors whichensures time is optimized, and that ideas are relevant to members. Thisembodiment assists inventors to know where they can best spend theirtime and assists management with the review process.

FIG. 8 illustrates a provision of disclosure breakouts by date andexecutive. An embodiment of the invention allows the displayedstatistical data to be further characterized as a business unit listingand responsible executive. An embodiment of the invention permits anexecutive to view the status of disclosures beneath a given line ofbusiness. Characterizing data as a business unit listing allows thetracking of the activities of employees within a given line of business.The embodiment can apply to business groups so that executive can seebudget percentages based on a responsible executive.

FIG. 9 illustrates a provision of disclosure breakouts by date and stageaccording to an embodiment of the invention. Similarly, the disclosuresand submissions for a broad organization can be viewed by stage of theirprogression through the review and docket preparation process whichassists reporting and accurate knowledge of the innovation efforts byline of business.

FIG. 10 illustrates a provision of statistics for a given review board.According to an embodiment of the invention statistics for evaluationboards to be ascertained can be displayed. Statistics for review boardsallows such evaluation boards to be managed and leveraged by management.Review boards have become more technology focused. Statistics on whichevaluation boards are the most active would be useful to determine ifthose boards should be absorbed into similar boards or perhaps givenhigher workloads. A technology sub-focus could become a board all toitself (like a separate evaluation board/team from the networkevaluation board/team) if there is enough interest in that technologyfrom a patent perspective. An embodiment of the invention allowsstatistics to be viewed based on a particular review board, theclassification, and dates.

FIG. 11 illustrates a provision of disclosures by initiative. Anembodiment of the invention allows the displayed statistical data to becharacterized as an initiative. Statistical data characterized as aninitiative allows users to display data based on a given focus areas.

FIG. 12 illustrates a provision of disclosures by topic. An embodimentof the invention allows the displayed statistical data to becharacterized as a topic. Statistical data characterized as aninitiative allows users to display data based on a given focus areas.

FIG. 13 illustrates a provision of statistics by IDT. A given IDT may beviewed for disclosure states associated with it. An embodiment of theinvention allows portfolio managers to identify technology trends andabnormal evaluation standards so that corrective actions can be taken.An embodiment of the invention also allows for the identification of theIDT process review to ensure that high quality standards and processesare being met.

FIG. 14 illustrates a provision of statistics by person and IDT. Anembodiment of the invention allows displayed data to aid businesses tofind statistical irregularities, which may demonstrate that a reviewboard or attorney with evaluations and final decisions.

FIG. 15 illustrates a provision of disclosures by date and IDT, for eachinventor. An embodiment of the invention provides a historical trail ofwhere a given user has submitted disclosures over the course of time.Such statistical data allows management to show personal contributionsto the organization.

FIG. 16 illustrates a provision of an outside counsel rating system byFirm according to an embodiment of the invention. This permits inventorsto rate outside counsel by firm on both technical proficiency andexpediency, as a means of providing valuable feedback to in housecounsel.

FIG. 17 illustrates a provision of an outside counsel rating system byindividual counsel according to an embodiment of the invention. Thispermits inventors to rate outside counsel by counsel on both technicalproficiency and expediency, as a means of providing valuable feedback toin house counsel.

FIG. 18 illustrates the submission of data. Inventor(s), scientist(s),and other professionals and end users populate metadata about a givenidea or comment into the database. This results in an abstractionsubmission.

Inventor(s), scientist(s), engineer(s) and other professions populatemetadata about a given idea. This embodiment provides a time line of anidea brainstorming session which may lead to an idea to be abandonedbefore submission or the idea's growth may lead to a inventiondisclosure and or a patentable invention. In an embodiment of theinvention a unique codifier is given to ideas as they are conceived.These may either feature the idea originator's initials followed by aunique number, the initials of the person tasked with doing the initialwrite-up, or a three letter identifier associated with the technologyfocused upon in the invention. Again, the question of whose initials areused for tracking is less important than the fact that some uniqueidentifier is assigned to an idea early.

In addition, an embodiment of the invention may accept inputs andupdates from other data sources. By importing data from other databasesand data sources a professionals workload is mitigated and as muchautomation is introduced as possible. Likewise, an embodiment of theinvention may input data from other databases to import names of lawfirms and other such information to the tracking records.

Elements that will be claimed as part of this invention include futureenhancements to the database. In an embodiment of the invention a Blogis implemented. The use of an weblog (“blog”) is prescribed to assist inmonitoring development of a given idea. In particular, the use of blogspermits a trace to be constructed to prove inventorship and dates ofinnovative additions to an idea. A definitive, unalterable time stampwould be provided on a host server, and a form of authentication wouldbe required to provide such a legal record of who had added anyparticular enhancement to a given idea during its development. The blogwould be open to a brainstorming group, and would provide the meansnecessary to determine true inventorship at the time of docket filing.

An embodiment of the invention also facilitates an Wiki. The use of an“wiki” can be used to provide a forum for definition of the patentableidea. The historical trail of the wiki could again be used to ascertaininventorship, and even as the idea reaches final form in thissemi-private electronic setting, the contributions of each “potentialinventor” could again be checked before docket filing.

An embodiment of the invention can provide flags and alerts regardingwhich employees have not filed idea disclosures in a given time period.Such persons could be targeted to develop new ideas or inventions.

In another embodiment of the invention when inventors fill out theinformation at the end of the disclosure, this information could be usedto rate to item when it is sent to the patent office In this respect,predictions may be made of when office actions and/or issuances might beexpected.

For organizations with master inventor (and analogous) classifications,an embodiment of the invention can track whether an individual has metsuch criteria for master inventorship and notification correspondinglymay be sent to appropriate party for nomination.

FIG. 19 illustrates input of data sources from an internal database(s)and external data source(s) containing scheduling data, statisticaldata, action item data, current status data and listing of individuals.

A representative hardware environment for practicing the embodiments ofthe invention is depicted in FIG. 20. Data is accessed from a datarepository source 11 via a data connection 12. The data accessed fromthe data repository is then displayed 23. This schematic drawingillustrates a hardware configuration of an information handling/computersystem in accordance with the embodiments of the invention. The systemcomprises at least one processor or central processing unit (CPU) 10.The CPUs 10 are interconnected via system bus 12 to various devices suchas a random access memory (RAM) 14, read-only memory (ROM) 16, and aninput/output (I/O) adapter 18. The I/O adapter 18 can connect toperipheral devices, such as disk units 11 and tape drives 13, or otherprogram storage devices that are readable by the system. The system canread the inventive instructions on the program storage devices andfollow these instructions to execute the methodology of the embodimentsof the invention. The system further includes a user interface adapter19 that connects a keyboard 15, mouse 17, speaker 24, microphone 22,and/or other user interface devices such as a touch screen device (notshown) to the bus 12 to gather user input. Additionally, a communicationadapter 20 connects the bus 12 to a data processing network 25, and adisplay adapter 21 connects the bus 12 to a display device 23 which maybe embodied as an output device such as a monitor, printer, ortransmitter, for example.

Some features of the tracking system are not necessarily coded, butrather procedural. A unique codifier is given to ideas as they areconceived. These may either feature the idea originator's initialsfollowed by a unique number, the initials of the person tasked withdoing the initial write-up, or a three letter identifier associated withthe technology focused upon in the invention. Again, the question ofwhose initials are used for tracking is less important than the factthat some unique identifier is assigned to an idea early. In addition,the PT accepts inputs and updates from the existing WPTS data. Byimporting data from WPTS, the inventor's workload is mitigated and asmuch automation is introduced as possible. Likewise, the PT draws fromthe IP&L Control Database to import names of law firms and other suchinformation to the tracking records. This embodiment of the inventionallows for synching with other databases and information sources.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present inventionmay be embodied as a system, method or computer program product.Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirelyhardware embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardwareaspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,”“module” or “system.” Furthermore, the present invention may take theform of a computer program product embodied in any tangible medium ofexpression having computer-usable program code embodied in the medium.

Any combination of one or more computer usable or computer readablemedium(s) may be utilized. The computer-usable or computer-readablemedium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic,optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus,device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustivelist) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: anelectrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computerdiskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory(ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flashmemory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory(CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a transmission media such as thosesupporting the Internet or an intranet, or a magnetic storage device.Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium could even bepaper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, asthe program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, opticalscanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, orotherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then storedin a computer memory. In the context of this document, a computer-usableor computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store,communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or inconnection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.The computer-usable medium may include a propagated data signal with thecomputer-usable program code embodied therewith, either in baseband oras part of a carrier wave. The computer usable program code may betransmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited towireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the presentinvention may be written in any combination of one or more programminglanguages, including an object oriented programming language such asJava, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer,partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partlyon the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely onthe remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remotecomputer may be connected to the user's computer through any type ofnetwork, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network(WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (forexample, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

The present invention is described below with reference to flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) andcomputer program products according to embodiments of the invention. Itwill be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/orblock diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computerprogram instructions. These computer program instructions may beprovided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purposecomputer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce amachine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor ofthe computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, createmeans for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchartand/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable medium that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instruction meanswhich implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer orother programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series ofoperational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that theinstructions which execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/actsspecified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The block diagram in the FIG. 20 illustrate the architecture,functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems,methods and computer program products according to various embodimentsof the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart orblock diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code,which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing thespecified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in somealternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occurout of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown insuccession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or theblocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending uponthe functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware andcomputer instructions.

It is to be understood that the provided illustrative examples are by nomeans exhaustive of the many possible uses for my disclosure. From theforegoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain theessential characteristics of this disclosure and, without departing fromthe spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modificationsof the disclosure to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to theembodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims:

1. A method for displaying information from a database, said method comprising: accessing a data repository via a data connection; displaying data from said data repository with an interface, the data including a list of inventor ideas; allowing said displayed data to be characterized as scheduling and statistical data; receiving a strength parameter and a readiness parameter from at least one inventor, the strength parameter representing an inventor-perceived value to a company of the inventor of at least one idea of the inventor ideas, and the readiness parameter indicating how close the idea is to final form and submission; moving the idea within the list with a processor, the idea moved within the list based on the strength parameter and the readiness parameter; and wherein said displaying of the data includes displaying invention disclosures that are before invention evaluation boards on a given month, year, and date, the invention evaluation boards including reviewers of invention disclosures.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing said displayed data to be further characterized as: an action item to be performed by at least one of the inventor and a co-inventor; an owner of said action item; an assignment of said action item; a due date of said action item; a current status of an idea submission; and a listing of individuals.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising allowing said displayed current status data to be further characterized as a stage.
 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising allowing said displayed listing of individuals to be further characterized as: a number of individual group members; and an abstraction submission.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing said scheduling data to be further characterized as: a listing of reviewers; and a date.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing said displayed statistical data to be further characterized as: a responsible executive; a date; an initiative; a topic; a stage; a submission; and a listing of reviewers.
 7. The method of claim 1, further including: displaying workloads of the invention evaluation boards; and determining, based on the workloads of the invention evaluation boards, whether to perform one of: combining a select invention evaluation board with at least one additional invention evaluation board to form a single invention evaluation board; dividing the select invention evaluation board into at least two separate invention evaluation boards; and increasing a workload of the select invention evaluation board.
 8. The method of claim 1, further including: flagging at least one employee in the data repository that has not filed an invention disclosure within a predetermined time period; and sending an alert to a user, the alert indicating that the employee has not filed an invention disclosure within the predetermined time period.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said displaying of the data includes displaying outside counsel ratings, the outside counsel ratings including: ratings of outside counsel firms on technical proficiency and expediency, and ratings of individual outside counsel attorneys on technical proficiency and expediency.
 10. The method of claim 1, further including: inputting at least one comment into the data repository, the comment including at least one of a weblog entry and a wiki entry; inputting an author into the data repository for each comment; inputting a time stamp into the data repository for each comment; and determining inventorship and a date of innovation for an inventor idea based on the comment, the author, and the time stamp.
 11. A system for displaying information from a database, said system comprising: a data repository to store database information, the database information including a list of inventor ideas, strength parameters from inventors, and readiness parameters from the inventors, the strength parameters representing inventor-perceived values of the inventor ideas to a company of the inventors, and the readiness parameters indicating how close the inventor ideas are to final form and submission; an interface operative to display said database information as scheduling, statistical, and current status data, said interface operative to display the list of inventor ideas; a processor for moving at least one idea of the inventor ideas within the list based on the strength parameters and the readiness parameters; a data connection from said data repository to said interface; and wherein said interface displays invention disclosures that are before invention evaluation boards on a given month, year, and date, the invention evaluation boards including reviewers of invention disclosures.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said interface is further operative to display: an action item; and a listing of individuals.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein said interface displays workloads of the invention evaluation boards for determining whether to perform one of: combining a select invention evaluation board with at least one additional invention evaluation board to form a single invention evaluation board; dividing the select invention evaluation board into at least two separate invention evaluation boards; and increasing a workload of the select invention evaluation board.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein said processor: flags at least one employee in the data repository that has not filed an invention disclosure within a predetermined time period; and sends an alert to a user, the alert indicating that the employee has not filed an invention disclosure within the predetermined time period.
 15. The system of claim 11, wherein the database information includes outside counsel ratings, the outside counsel ratings including: ratings of outside counsel firms on technical proficiency and expediency, and ratings of individual outside counsel attorneys on technical proficiency and expediency.
 16. The system of claim 11, wherein the database information includes at least one comment, the comment including at least one of a weblog entry and a wiki entry, an author of each comment, and a time stamp of each comment, and wherein said processor determines inventorship and a date of innovation for an inventor idea based on the comment, the author, and the time stamp.
 17. A non-transitory program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method for displaying information from a database, the method comprising: accessing a data repository via a data connection; displaying data from said data repository with an interface, the data including a list of inventor ideas; allowing said displayed data to be characterized as a scheduling data, statistical data, and action item; receiving a strength parameter and a readiness parameter from at least one inventor, the strength parameter representing an inventor-perceived value to a company of the inventor of at least one idea of the inventor ideas, and the readiness parameter indicating how close the idea is to final form and submission; moving the idea within the list with a processor, the idea moved within the list based on the strength parameter and the readiness parameter; wherein said displaying of the data includes displaying invention disclosures that are before invention evaluation boards on a given month, year, and date, the invention evaluation boards including reviewers of invention disclosures.
 18. The program storage device of claim 17, further including: displaying invention disclosures that are before invention evaluation boards on a given month, year, and date, the invention evaluation boards including reviewers of invention disclosures; displaying workloads of invention evaluation boards; and determining, based on the workloads of the invention evaluation boards, whether to perform one of: combining a select invention evaluation board with at least one additional invention evaluation board to form a single invention evaluation board; dividing the select invention evaluation board into at least two separate invention evaluation boards; and increasing a workload of the select invention evaluation board. 